Two rape accused shot in legs after police encounter in Ghaziabad's Vijay Nagar
Synopsis
Two men wanted in a rape case were shot in the legs and arrested after opening fire on a police team in Ghaziabad's Vijay Nagar on 18 October — the second encounter in the district in under 24 hours. Illegal firearms, an unnumbered motorcycle, and mobile phones were recovered from the pair, as legal proceedings get underway.
Key Takeaways
Mustakim, 48 , and Pradeep, 40 , both wanted in a rape case, were arrested after a police encounter in Vijay Nagar, Ghaziabad on 18 October 2026 .
Both accused sustained bullet wounds to their legs during retaliatory police fire and are hospitalised.
Recoveries include two illegal country-made firearms , two live cartridges , an unnumbered motorcycle , and two mobile phones .
A day earlier, on 17 October , wanted robber Raj alias Rajendra Pandey, 22 , was similarly arrested after an encounter near the Kilhouda Border in Ghaziabad's Bhojpur area.
A 315-bore illegal pistol , a stolen motorcycle, and a looted mobile phone were recovered from Pandey.
Two men wanted in connection with a rape case were arrested on Sunday, 18 October 2026, following a police encounter in the Vijay Nagar area of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Both accused sustained bullet wounds to their legs and are currently receiving hospital treatment, officials said.
How the Encounter Unfolded
According to police, a tip-off from an informant late at night placed two suspects — wanted in a rape case registered under the Vijay Nagar police station — near the Jal Nigam plant in the Sajwan Nagar area. Acting on the intelligence, a police team set up a barrier near a local housing society and began checking vehicles.
'During the operation, two individuals were seen approaching on a motorcycle. When the police attempted to stop them, as they were travelling from the direction of Sajwan Nagar toward a society, the pair tried to turn around and flee,' an official said.
'Due to the uneven terrain, they lost their balance and fell; upon seeing the police party approaching, they opened fire. In the ensuing retaliatory fire, carried out by the police in self-defence, both suspects were struck in the legs,' the official added.
Identity of the Accused and Recoveries
The arrested men have been identified as Mustakim, 48, a resident of Chaman Colony, and Pradeep, 40, a resident of Siddharth Vihar. Authorities recovered two illegal country-made firearms, two live cartridges, a motorcycle without a number plate, and two mobile phones from their possession.
'Both individuals have been transported to a hospital. The situation at the scene remains calm and under control, and further legal proceedings are currently underway,' police said.
Separate Encounter on 17 October
In a related development the previous day, on 17 October, a 22-year-old wanted robber identified as Raj alias Rajendra Pandey, carrying a reward of ₹10,000, was arrested after a police encounter near the Kilhouda Border in Ghaziabad's Bhojpur area.
According to officials, Pandey attempted to flee on a motorcycle when signalled to stop, causing the bike to slip. He then allegedly opened fire on the police team using a country-made pistol, prompting retaliatory fire in self-defence that injured him in the leg. A 315-bore illegal pistol, a live cartridge, a spent shell, a stolen motorcycle, and a looted mobile phone were recovered from him.
Broader Context
The back-to-back encounters reflect a continuing pattern of armed confrontations during suspect apprehensions in Ghaziabad. Uttar Pradesh Police has faced both commendation and scrutiny over encounter operations in recent years, with courts and rights bodies calling for thorough independent investigations into each incident. All three accused are currently under medical care, and legal proceedings are reported to be in progress.
Point of View
Which tends to get overshadowed by the drama of the encounter itself. Accountability in such operations must run parallel to, not instead of, swift trial proceedings for the alleged victims.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the two rape accused arrested in the Ghaziabad encounter?
The two accused are Mustakim, 48 , a resident of Chaman Colony, and Pradeep, 40 , a resident of Siddharth Vihar, both wanted in connection with a rape case registered at the Vijay Nagar police station in Ghaziabad.
What happened during the Vijay Nagar police encounter on 18 October?
Police acting on a tip-off set up a barrier near a housing society. When the two suspects on a motorcycle attempted to flee and subsequently opened fire after falling off their bike, officers returned fire in self-defence, injuring both men in the legs. They were then arrested and taken to hospital.
What was recovered from the accused in the Ghaziabad encounter?
Authorities recovered two illegal country-made firearms, two live cartridges, a motorcycle without a number plate, and two mobile phones from Mustakim and Pradeep.
Who is Raj alias Rajendra Pandey, arrested in a separate Ghaziabad encounter?
Raj alias Rajendra Pandey is a 22-year-old wanted robber carrying a police reward of ₹10,000. He was arrested on 17 October after a police encounter near the Kilhouda Border in Ghaziabad's Bhojpur area, where he allegedly fired at police before being injured in retaliatory fire.
What is the current status of the three encounter-arrested accused?
All three accused — Mustakim, Pradeep, and Rajendra Pandey — sustained leg injuries during the respective encounters and are currently receiving hospital treatment. Legal proceedings are reported to be underway in all cases.
